Historian to conduct Bethel tours

BETHEL – For the second year in a row, Bethel Historical Society life member and historian David Jones will conduct guided tours of portions of Bethel Hill Village each Saturday morning during July and August.

Jones will provide background on the founding of the town and the reasons why people from Massachusetts, New Hampshire and southern Maine established this village in the 1770s.

During the tour, he will point out interesting and unusual examples of domestic and commercial architecture, while also mentioning some of the changes that have taken place in and around Bethel Hill over the past 230 years.

All walking tours will begin at 11 a.m., rain or shine, at the fire bell tower on the north end of the village common.

More than 500 attended the 4th of July community picnic on the grounds of Bethel Historical Society’s Dr. Moses Mason House.

The Portland Brass Quintet entertained at a two-hour concert. The quintet has been playing at this event since its inception in 1993.

Prior to the musical portion of the program, Brigadier General (Ret.) Russ Howard of Bethel, who serves as a commentator for Fox News on terrorism and national security issues addressed the audience. Howard is also a Senior Fellow at the Joint Special Operations University in Hurlburt Field, a senior adviser to the Singapore director for homeland security and the president of Howard’s Global Solutions in Bethel.

Howard praised the vision of the founders in establishing this nation and paid tribute to those who have carried the light of freedom to the present day.

Following his remarks, the color guard of Mundt-Allen Post 81, American Legion, Bethel, presented the colors followed by the national anthem by the quintet.

More information about the society and its activities may be obtained by calling 824-2908 or 800-824-2910, e-mailing [email protected] or visiting www.bethelhistorical.org.